Local strain and its influence on mechanical–electromagnetic properties of twisted and untwisted ITER Nb3Sn strands

It is important to evaluate the local strain exerted on superconducting filaments in Nb3Sn strands, because it influences both superconducting and mechanical properties, in particular for the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) project. The local strain in the twisted and untwisted Nb3Sn strands was directly measured at room temperature as well as at low temperatures by means of quantum beam techniques. The local strain consists of thermal strain and lattice strain. The latter changes as a function of external strain. The interrelation between the force-free strain and the intrinsic strain showing a maximum critical current was considered on the basis of the present experimental data as well as the recent theory. The thermal strains along both directions parallel and transverse to the strand axis were numerically evaluated. Their evaluated results could explain well the observed values, when To is the recovery temperature of pure Cu. The force-free strain along the axial direction is deduced to be distributed among grains with different crystal orientation with respect to the axial direction. It is suggested that this fact affects the definition of intrinsic strain. (paper)